Royal Troon to miss out on centenary Open staging in 2023

Royal Troon is still in line to stage The Open for a tenth time - but that will no longer be exactly 100 years after the event’s first visit to the Ayrshire coast.

Henrik Stenson returns the Claret Jug to R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers at the end of a 12-month reign as champion following his victory at Royal Troon in 2016. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Instead of 2023, as had originally been announced, the 152nd Open will now be held at Royal Troon in 2024.

The change has been caused by the knock-on effect of this year’s event at Royal St George’s being cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The R&A had already announced that the Kent venue will now stage the Claret Jug joust next summer, with the 150th edition at St Andrews being pushed back to 2022.

A decision has also now been made to stick with the original plan thereafter, with Royal Liverpool hosting the event in 2023 then Troon the following year.

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said: “We have been working closely with Royal Liverpool and Royal Troon and the relevant local agencies to reschedule the championships.

“We are grateful to everyone involved at the clubs and at our partner organisations for supporting our plans and showing flexibility to adapt their own schedules.

“We can now look forward to seeing the world’s best players competing at these outstanding links courses in 2023 and 2024.”

Henrik Stenson became the first Swede to win a men’s major when he beat Phil Mickelson in a thrilling weekend duel in the event’s last visit to Troon in 2016.

Desmond Bancewicz, the Ayrshire club’s captain, added: “Following the most unusual circumstances this year, affecting all our lives, Royal Troon Golf Club looks forward with eager anticipation in hosting The Open in 2024.”

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